South Korean military vow to maintain martial law despite protests and parliament vote: Live updates
Opposition says it will try to nullify shock move by embattled president Yoon Suk Yeol
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Your support makes all the difference.South Korea’s military has vowed to uphold martial law despite a parliamentary vote to overturn the declaration by president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Local broadcaster YTN, which theoretically is now under control of the military in accordance with martial law, quoted officials as saying the decree will remain in in effect until lifted by the president.
Earlier, South Korean parliament has voted to overturn a declaration after president Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces”.
Police clashed with protestors outside the National Assembly while MPs and parliamentary staff were let into the building about 1am local time in an early morning sitting to vote down the shock measures, which included a ban on political acitivities and industrial action.
In his earlier declaration, the president did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, led by Kim Jong Un, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents, who he accused of throwing the country into a crisis.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung said his party would try to nullify the move but expressed fears that parliamentarians could be arrested.
South Korea's lawmakers pass resolution against martial law
Protesters call for South Korean president to step down
Opposition call for end of martial law
South Korea's ruling party urges president to lift martial law
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s own ruling party has urged him to swiftly lift martial law following a parliamentary vote against the decree, Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday.
South Korea military says it will uphold martial law
The South Korean military has said it will uphold the decree of martial law so long as the president Yoon Suk Yeol maintains it.
The comments came after parliament, dominated by the opposition, voted to end martial law.
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South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared
South Korean forces clash with crowds outside parliament after martial law declared
Videos show chaos outside the South Korean parliament building as military soldiers try to hold off crowds after President Yoon Sook Yeol declared martial law in the country. The footage circulated on social media shows people believed to be South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party’s staff, trying to block soldiers at the National Assembly. Earlier on Wednesday, the unpopular President Yoon declared martial law as he vowed to ‘eradicate pro-North Korean anti-state forces’ but the South Korean parliament quickly voted to overturn the declaration. Mr Yoon’s poll ratings have fallen in recent months after he dismissed calls for independent probes into scandals involving his wife and top officials.
Why has South Korea declared martial law and what is it?
Why has South Korea declared martial law and what is it?
President Yoon Suk Yeol hit out at his political opponents in declaring martial law – but the country’s parliament has passed a motion calling it invalid
Biden being briefed on situation in South Korea
US president Joe Biden has said that he is “just getting briefed” on the situation in South Korea.
He gave the comments after giving a speech in Luanda, Angola.
Earlier, a senior US official said they were watching the situation in South Korea with “grave concern”.
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